CD Reviews

LP duplicate; could have been better

08/15/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing the outstanding film in 1970, I was excited to purchase the soundtrack LP and found it very satisfactory. Alfred Newman's score is brilliant, one of the tops in the history of cinema. The main title in particular is priceless and is justifiably much admired by film fans. The CD duplicates the LP's tracks, but with soundtrack CDs often including previously unreleased material, I was hoping for more from this one. The main title appears to be an alternate take from the superior one used in the film; the same goes for the love theme. I also wish that the CD would have included some additional underscoring. I am not sure which is worse, the liner notes with the LP (none) or with the CD (written by someone who obviously disliked the film and had very little to say about this music). I give this a high rating because the music is great, but unfortunately it may be better appreciated while watching the film."

Nice To Have, But Incomplete

Sandy McLendon | Atlanta, GA USA | 09/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1970's "Airport" was Alfred Newman's last movie score ever, and it was pretty darned good. This Varese Sarabande CD is an okay version, but it could have been better. The material in it is identical to the old releases of this score on LP and 8-track (yep, I just dated myself). There are cues in the movie that weren't in the old version, and they're not in the new one, either. The main title is not the same performance heard on the soundtrack; it seems to be an alternate take, or perhaps one done with the limitations of 1970-vintage home stereo equipment in mind. This CD is already out of print, so maybe Varese is working on something better. Until a more complete and authentic version comes along, get yourself a used copy of this one. It's still very much worth having and listening to."

Newman Saved One Of His Best For Last

Luis M. Ramos | Caracas, Venezuela | 11/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alfred Newman passed away shortly after finishing the score for "Airport". Such a pity a fine composer wasn't able to experience the popularity of his last work ever. The main title for "Airport" is one of his best pieces of music he ever created: propulsive, as portraying the climate of activity of a normal airport. His love theme is extremely popular since it has been the object of uncountable versions, but none as effective as the original. The action music is truly superb, especially 'Joe Patroni: Plane Or Plows?' and 'Emergency Landing'.The only lowdown here is the theme Newman wrote for the Burt Lancaster-Jean Seberg characters. I don't know, but I find it doesn't reach the quality of emotion that the love theme conveys.I don't know if there is any music missing from this Varèse CD since I have seen the movie a couple of times, and the last one was, I think, almost twenty years ago. However, this is a good piece of work from one of the legends in film music."

Newman's last score-essential to own if you're a fan.

micritt | NYC | 04/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have the original Decca LP from the 70's; apparently the Varese CD is the same material, with no extras. I love this score with it's propulsive, powerful main title. The love themes are classic Newman, his string writing never better, and his addition of pop music elements ( bass guitars, bongos) is very tasteful. As was the custom in those days, the soundtrack album was a re-recording, not from the original scoring sessions, and the main title was obviously re-orchestrated or edited. Newman was in failing health while working on this picture-some cues were done by his friend Hugo Friedhofer.If only Universal would open their vaults to the likes of FSM or Intrada or Rhino Handmade, then we could get the complete soundtrack as recorded for the film. And we could also get more full soundtracks from their library, especially the one all of us film music fans want- the complete soundtrack to Alex North's masterpiece, "Spartacus"."

A little disappointing...

Trent Nickson | 03/14/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Couldn't wait to get my hands on this CD, as the soundtrack to the movie Airport has always captivated me.The sound quality of the CD is very good, however it is a little short. Additionally, the mix on some of the tracks (notably the title theme, unfortunately) is different to the movie mix, which bits and pieces seeming to be left out.Other than that, not too bad - would like to see a new version from the original session tapes - that's if they exist. (Also, the cover picture should have been from the movie, not the book, but I imagine that's a licensing problem...)"